I have to admit, after years of disappointment in the DC universe live action movies, I was delightfully surprised by this installment in the Justice League film franchise.

On par with Robert Pattinson’s Batman, this film serves up lots of great characters portrayed flawlessly by the ensemble cast. It has a noir feel that blends with the colorful special effects and time travel sequences.

It has just the right amount of nostalgia and Easter eggs to make it satisfying for hard-core fans (spoiler alert: we get to see three past Supermen, and more than one past Batman — there’s even a reference to the unmaid Tim Burton version of Superman). There’s also a lot of fun space-time continuum quasi-science that’s fun to accept and let play. The metaphor of “time spaghetti” and “the hot mess” of time, is very clever and appropriate to the story. “How much of fate can hinge on the placement of a single can of crushed Roma tomatoes?”

I found myself smiling at the endearing and awkward humor of Ezra Miller playing Barry Allen talking to his younger alternate reality self and even crying at the film’s sincerity of the acceptance of fate.

There are plenty of comedic elements; the dramatic snack break during a “baby shower” in the opening action sequence is a brilliant bit of writing that sets the tone of the movie well. Also, the incredible way the stakes continually rise throughout the movie kept me glued to the story and caring immensely about the hero’s journey and evolution.

One major shoutout to Sasha Calle, whom I definitely want to see in her own stand-alone Supergirl film.

Lastly, seeing Michael Keaton in the old bat suit was fun. The way he takes on the character in older age is poignant yet still mildly comedic. If he was the only alternative batman in the film, it would have been fine, but an added last reveal in the movie was excellently handled for a final great laugh.

5/5 stars

J.W.A.

XOXO